Cemetery commission talks trafficThe Oakland Cemetery Commission discussed ways they could slow down traffic, specifically on Drive 3, during its monthly meeting Tuesday. Stephanie Warwick, cemetery director, explained there is more traffic on Drive 3 because it is aligned with Boston Avenue. Several cars come through daily. Warwick said current speed bumps have been repaired and additional ones are in the works for Drives 1-3. "People do drive through there so fast, and it's...

Council to discuss 2nd PUD ordinanceThe Russellville City Council will consider an ordinance that will rezone property on Marina Road at Jennifer Lane from residential (R-1) to planned unit development (PUD) when it convenes at 6 p.m. today at City Hall. The Finance Committee will meet at 5:30. Approved 7-1 by the Planning Commission during a previous meeting, the ordinance is the second that will rezone property from R-1 to PUD. A special election scheduled for May 9 will deter...

Yell court reappoints twoDANVILLE — The Yell County Quorum Court met to re-appoint two to the law library and review an appropriation ordinance. During the meeting, quorum court members re-appointed Marcus Vaden to the Danville Law Library Board and William Bullock to the Dardanelle Law Library Board. In other business, appropriation ordinance 2017-4, an appropriation ordinance amending the 2017 county budget, was approved. Judge Mark Thone explained the ordinance was...

Runoff election set for May 2The two candidates who will compete in a May 2 runoff election for the Ward 1, Position 1 seat on the Russellville City Council agree on one thing. They both plan on working hard the next 16 days and hope to convince more people to vote. Phyllis Carruth and Andrew Barrett garnered 42 and 49 percent, respectively, among three candidates after last Tuesday's special election. Barrett got 158 votes compared to 135 for Carruth. Carruth, the wife o...

Steering Committee gets reportThe vision and goals of the ReImagine Russellville 2040 comprehensive plan were presented to the steering committee during a meeting Thursday night at City Hall. City and project planner James Walden said Friday that the committee members and citizens of Russellville now have the opportunity to read and think about the goals. "We're now focusing on getting feedback from public, either by going to the website or calling city hall," he said. "We...

City OKs finance itemsThe Russellville City Council's Finance Committee voted Tuesday to recommend to the full council a bid of $15,481 to paint the Downtown Historic Depot as soon as the contractor is available to start the project. Main Street Russellville executive director Betsy McGuire said the first contractor chosen said they could not finish the project. Mayor Randy Horton said it wouldn't be done before the RussVegas Half Marathon on April 21-22, or possib...

Runoff election needed for Russellville council seatIt's going to be three more weeks before the Russellville City Council will welcome a new alderman or alderwoman for the Ward 1, Position 1 seat. Phyllis Carruth and Andrew Barrett each received over 40 percent of the 321 votes cast to force a runoff election on May 2, according to unofficial results Tuesday night from the Pope County Election Commission. Special election results indicated that Barrett received 158 votes (49.38 percent), while...

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BY SEAN INGRAMsean@couriernews.comThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

O Street work ahead of scheduleRussellville Public Works Director Kurt Jones said Friday the $3 million O Street renovation project is "well ahead of schedule" and could be finished by the end of June. The project went into an important phase Monday, when Public Works staff closed the intersections of Parker Road and University Drive, North Jackson and University Drive and Sparksford Road and State Highway 124 until further notice for work on State Highway 124 in conjunctio...

Pope County's Spring Cleanup set for April 29Pope County Judge Jim Ed Gibson said during Thursday's Quorum Court meeting that the annual Spring Cleanup will take place from 7 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 29, at the County Road Department, No. 5 County Complex, off Weir Road. Gibson pointed out that residents will be charged for tires brought to the complex, since the county has to pay for the disposal of those tires. It will cost $2 for each passenger and light truck tire, $5 for 20-inch...

Quorum Court goes back to old scheduleThe Pope County Quorum Court voted during its April meeting Thursday night that it would revert back to conducting committee meetings on Tuesdays and full court meetings on Thursdays. Justice of the Peace Doug Skelton suggested previously that it would be beneficial to go back to meetings on two days instead of committee and full court meetings the first Thursday of each month. "It makes sense to do that, because it just gives us more time to ...

Special election todayResidents of Ward 1 in the city of Russellville can vote until 7:30 p.m. tonight for the Ward 1, Position 1 Russellville City Council special election. Polls are open today at the Pope County Election Commission Headquarters until 7:30 p.m. According to the Pope County Clerk's Office on Monday, 161 had voted early -- 15 on Tuesday, 29 on Wednesday, 24 on Thursday, 30 on Friday and 63 on Monday. Phyllis Carruth, Andrew Barrett and Chuck Frankho...

Planning commission OKs developmentsThe Russellville Planning Commission discussed at length a request to approve a large-scale development, Patriot Storage, and eventually approved it with some contingencies. Robert Weibler wants to renovate the existing two buildings for individual storage space and plan the construction for two RV/boat/trailer storage buildings at 306 N. Phoenix Ave., which is at the foot of the Phoenix Avenue overpass. According to City Engineer Kurt Jones, ...

County still looking for solution to overtime issueThe Pope County Quorum Court’s Budget Committee discussed overtime during its meeting Tuesday and determined there was a long way to go before a solution could be reached that would be satisfactory for justices of the peace, department heads and county employees. Prior to the OT talk, the committee approved a request from County Clerk Laura McGuire to fill a vacancy immediately. The full Quorum Court will vote on the committee’s recommendation...

More speed bumps added to the Oakland CemeteryThe Oakland Cemetery Commission approved a motion during its March meeting that will result in the addition of more speed bumps, and eventually gates, to slow traffic through the cemetery. Director Stephanie Warwick said current speed bumps will be repaired and will be joined by more on Drives 1, 2 and 3. "People do drive through there so fast, and it's not a thru-way street," she said. It is a safety issue, and it also cuts down on vandalism ...

Pottsville planning, zoning passes Blocker Estate closurePOTTSVILLE — The Pottsville Planning and Zoning Commission conducted a public hearing and voted to close a road during Monday’s regular meeting. In March, Karen Martin asked the commission to close Blocker Estate on Sweeden Road. Previously a road ran through the estate. Since then, the property was purchased with the intent to build. A public hearing was conducted regarding the matter on Monday which was passed. In other business, the final p...

Candidate Q&A: Phyllis CarruthEditor's note: The Courier reached out to the candidates vying for the Ward 1, Position 1 seat on the Russellville City Council. The candidates were asked the same questions. Why are you seeking this position? My family has lived in Russellville since 1976. I started PJ’s Corner in 1978, which continues to operate to this day. My passion for being involved with city government reached its height at the time my husband, Phil, was mayor. These e...

Candidate Q&A: Chuck FrankhouseEditor's note: The Courier reached out to the candidates vying for the Ward 1, Position 1 seat on the Russellville City Council. The candidates were asked the same questions. Why are you seeking this position? I feel I have much to offer to our city government; by providing strong, vocal leadership that will lead to sound decisions for the future of Russellville. • I am progressive, pro-growth and pro-business. • I support community involvemen...

Candidate Q&A: Andrew BarrettEditor's note: The Courier reached out to the candidates vying for the Ward 1, Position 1 seat on the Russellville City Council. The candidates were asked the same questions. Why are you seeking this position? I've lived in many places in my life, but when I moved to Russellville three years ago, my daughter and I knew we had found our home. I've attended or watched all of the city council meetings since we landed here, and I feel like the cit...

Marina Way special election scheduled for May 9One week after a special judge indicated there would be no May 9 special election relating to rezoning property on Marina Way, he ruled Friday morning in Pope County Circuit Court that the election will go on as scheduled. Jason Browning of Little Rock, who represented the group Citizens Protecting our Neighborhoods, said Friday even though Special Judge Russell Rogers emailed representatives for the plaintiffs and the defendants March 22 that...

Water reservoir discussed in D.C.City Corporation's general manager told the Board of Directors that a recent trip to Washington D.C. was a success as discussion of building a new water reservoir in northern Pope County continues. Steve Mallett said during the board's March meeting Tuesday at the Wastewater Treatment Plant on Jimmy Lyle Road that he and Aaron Stallman of Garver Engineers were part of a local group that were part of an annual fly-in trip to Washington sponsore...